More Mitts without Fingers

I am still on my fingerless mitts craze. I am making several pair for Christmas gifts and I have to say I like making them. You probably picked up on that...

Ren Fest

Robyn took Cara and Leonardo (Stephanie) to Ren Fest (Louisiana Renaissance Festival). They got a huge kick out of dressing up and going back in time to visit the Village of Albright. They came home tired and full of stories about all of the cool clothes, stuff to buy and fun shows. Plans are already in the works to bring a bigger group next year.

Bert's Hat

I love Robyn's buddy, Shelby, like she is one of my own. I wanted to make her a hat for Christmas. Shelby usually wears a pony tail and I thought it would be fun to make her a hat she can wear with her hair up. This is a great pattern. Most of the hat is knit flat and it is only knit in the round after the decreases for the crown start. I love all of this Christmas knitting...

Soapy Sacks

I bought some wonderful New Orleans themed soap from Sweet Olive Soap Works to give to Cara's teachers this Christmas. I made some soap sacks to put them in. They can use them to wash with and hold the soap as it is being used.

Didn't I See You At The Roller Derby Match?

I don't remember which rock I have been living under, but I didn't realize that New Orleans had not 1, but 2 roller derby teams. I used to watch Roller Derby when I was little. It was a hoot to watch all of the wild ladies careening around the rink. Today's Roller Derby had some of the same fun and a lot of New Orleans flavor. Before the match, the Creole String Beans played some great tunes. All of the skaters had fabulous names and I loved saying each one out loud to get the full effect. During the match, members of the Krewe of the Rolling Elvi would run by the audience and throw candy. During halftime, the Creole String Beans played some more and a dance group called the Muffulettas did their thing. It was some of the best people watching I have had in years and I can't wait until the 2011 season begins...

Alyce's Hat

I love Robyn's roommate. I have only met her once, but she and Robyn seem to have the best time together. I wanted to make her a hat to go with the fingerless mitts Santa is bringing her. I love how this yarn stripes up. It will go well with that mitts and keep her warm and toasty.

Hats for Ethan and Alyssa

I was looking through my projects on Ravelry and I realized I had not made hats for my friend Tina's grandchildren. I made some for Gina's granddaughters, so I needed to continue along those lines. I figured Ethan would like somethings Saints like and Alyssa something colorful. I hope they like them.

Kat Needs a Hat

I taught my best friend, Kathy, how to knit this summer. She took to it like a fish to water. She has become a great scarf making master. She brought me some leftover yarn and asked me make a hat to match one of her scarves. So I did and here it is. She wanted a simple hat and a rolled brim hat is what she chose. I love these hats. The are so quick to make.

Doesn't Linda look nice in the hat?

Three Rivers Art Festival

This weekend is the Three Rivers Art Festival in Covington. We love going to this festival. There are so many talented artisans, the weather is usually beautiful, and best of all they have a student art show. In years past, this festival was very good for Robyn's art. She placed every time she entered. This was the first time Cara had a piece entered and we couldn't wait to see what it was. Her regular art teacher brought the pieces the students had worked on in her class. I was disappointed when I saw the piece she entered for Cara. It was no where near her best. When I asked Cara about how the pieces were chosen. She said that the teacher told the class to come up and pick which piece they wanted in the show. She didn't feel like getting up, so I guess the teacher closed her eyes and picked one for her. That's my Cara. Phillip bought a really cool clay piece. I had a great time looking at all of the art eye candy.

Now I know you are wondering why I have a picture of Chicken on a Stick for this post instead some of the great art I saw. Well, I was too busy looking at the goodies to take pictures, for one thing. When Phillip and I stopped to eat lunch, they had a booth that sold Chicken on a Stick. Chicken on a Stick brings back fond memories of another great art/craft show, one that takes place twice a year in Canton, MS. It covers the Courthouse Square, and several blocks of the nearby streets with wonderful arts, crafts, and the occasional junk. If you go up for the Canton show, you get to the show around 5am (well, the hard core shoppers do). Yes, 5:00 in the morning. That is when all of the best stuff is still there. The one of a kind stuff. You are walking around with flashlights and giggling as you pass others doing the same. The show doesn't officially open 7, but many of the merchants will let us buy early. Since you are getting such an early start, you start getting hungry for lunch around 10 or so. On several of the corners are booths selling Chicken on a Stick. You get a Chicken on a Stick and find a nice curb to sit on. Eating and people watching is a great way to pass the time when you are tired from shopping. At some point (and it has always happened), a 18 wheeler full of chickens will pass down the main street. A couple of minutes later, a fully loaded log truck will follow. We always get a kick out of seeing the "pre Chicken on a Stick". Until today I had never seen Chicken on a Stick anywhere else except at Canton. I had to take a picture of it and send to Mom. She likes it too. There is something special about chicken, pickles, onions, and potatoes dipped in batter and fried on a stick that stays in your mind.

A Hat for Me

When I was making the hats to send to Zimbabwe, I gave them a couple of hats (unworn, of course) I had knitted for myself. When a cold front came through, I realized I needed a hat...stat. This is the same yarn I used for Alyce's hat (post to come), just in a different colorway. I thought you would enjoy seeing the top :)